More info, more study for Davidson Main Street intersection

Tuesday night's Board meeting provided more information on what could happen at the Main Street/Davidson-Concord Road intersection in downtown Davidson as Commissioners heard an update on what Town Staff has been doing with the idea.  Prior to the meeting it was made clear that no vote would be taken, and when the discussion ended it was clear one is not imminent.

Soon after the open comment section of the meeting ended where several citizens spoke against the idea of removing 10 parking spaces to accommodate a left turn from southbound Main, Public Works Director, Doug Wright, gave a presentation that clarified a few points.

• The College has not been involved in the current discussions.  Staff was studying what could be done in the existing right of way.  A less intrusive plan would require some land donation from the College to maintain those spots.  This would also require utilities to be moved.  Staff will be looking into this going forward.
• The plan as proposed eliminates the dedicated right turn lane off of northbound Main St.  Wright indicated that analysis was completed showing this would not just move the problem from one side of the intersection to the other because drivers have more options to make a right at streets such as Chairman Blake and Walut St prior to the intersection.
• This intersection has been designated as "needs improvement" in the Mobility Plan currently underway.  Modeling has been completed showing that this intersection will remain bad in the future, but the addition of a southbound left "moves the needle" in the right direction.

In the comments that followed the presentation, Commissioners made several observations.  Commissioner Campbell focused on questions of pedestrian safety with widening the crossing.  Commissioner Fort pointed out that other needed road changes underway such as Potts-Sloan-Beaty and the new connection off of June Washam aren't popular in those impacted parts of town.  Mayor Pro Tem Fuller mentioned that the Board had received maybe 100 emails and by his admittedly unscientific assessment they were 3-1 against the plan as proposed.  Commissioner Michael described the current situation as being in a "stasis of badness".

There isn't an easy answer to this one.  However, at least it is being studied, and the problem wasn't shoved aside like it has been in the past simply because it is hard.